Real Brides: Celeste

Brian and I met in the hallway during grad school orientation. I blindly asked a group of students for directions — not realizing they were part of the acupuncture cohort I belonged in— and he was the first person to warmly welcome me in. From that moment on, we became fast friends. We sat next to each other in every class, quickly becoming one another’s safe space. Just two weeks later, I asked him out, and we shared our first date watching the harvest full moon at Royal Palms Beach. We spent hours talking and trading stories under the stars — one of those rare, magical nights when everything just feels right. We knew early on that we wanted to navigate school — and life — together. We’ve been side by side ever since.

I had spent the entire day trying on dresses that just didn’t feel right. They were beautiful, but none of them felt like me. It wasn’t until the last stop of the day — the second dress I tried on in that boutique — that everything changed. The floor sample zipped up perfectly, like it was made for me. It had everything I’d dreamed of: elegant fabric, a timeless square neckline, delicate button detail, and a stunning, flowy train. It was simple yet striking, understated yet unforgettable. I stood on the platform, and for the first time, I saw myself as a bride. I couldn’t stop smiling and even twirled around the store feeling like a princess.

Still, I didn’t buy it that day. But as we drove away, I knew deep down I’d be comparing every other dress to that one. And that’s how I knew — it was my dress. After that, everything fell into place: the veil I borrowed from my mother, which she wore on her wedding day 48 years ago. It was delicate, vintage, and full of meaning — like wearing a piece of her love and legacy as I walked into my own. My Dior shoes, the elegant gold jewelry… every detail felt like a reflection of who I am — rooted in my family and the traditions that shaped us. 

Photo Credits: Breana Isley Photography

Bridal Store: Brides by Elizabeth